To destroy an old license plate, cut through all letters and numbers using metal shears. Remove any stickers or decals. If your state requires return, mail or bring the plate to your DMV. If not, place the destroyed plate in an aluminum recycling bin. Always check your state’s rules before you begin.
When and Why to Destroy Old Car Plates
Most drivers end up with an old license plate after selling a car, moving, or getting a new license plate. These vehicle plates are typically license plates made from aluminum. Older license plates are likely no longer in use or linked to an active account. Leaving a readable plate lying around is a bad thing because it can be misused. Current license plates tied to your name can attract fines even if the vehicle is stolen. Proper disposal protects privacy and supports a way to recycle materials responsibly. Before you act, check whether your state wants a plate return or allows you to dispose of license plates at home.
|
Situation |
What to do |
Why |
|
Sold, traded, or donated a car |
Return license plates, then recycle |
Prevent tickets linked to your vehicle registration |
|
Moved to another state |
Return license plates to the DMV or follow the state’s vehicle licensing department steps |
Many states require surrender and will provide instructions |
|
Replaced damaged or faded tags |
Destroy and keep a dated photo |
Stops misuse of readable numbers |
|
Switched to a specialty design |
Ask the vehicle licensing office about certain types of plates |
Rules differ for special issues |
VINGurus research estimates millions of plates are retired each year; that’s a lot of metal every year moving through the system.
Why You Shouldn’t Throw Old Plates in the Trash
Throwing a license plate straight in the trash is risky and often against local guidance. Numbers remain scannable, enabling license plate lookup and toll fraud. Sharp edges can cut bags and workers. States have strict rules about discarding current plates, and landfills aren’t designed for safe handling. Instead, destroy data first and use return paths that highlight specific instructions on acceptable ways to recycle license plates.
- Trash doesn’t prove chain of custody; recycling or return often does.
- A readable plate can fuel impersonation and identity theft.
- Haulers may refuse sharp metal; use a route that can accept license plates.
- Safer options exist that keep the material away from landfill.
One regional program reported double-digit growth in fraudulent toll events traced to discarded plates over two years.
Know the Legal Requirements in Your State
Before any tool touches the metal, review your state’s guidance. Some jurisdictions require returning old license plates to the New York DMV. Others permit you to dispose of them at home. For instance, Virginia DMV requires you to surrender your plates when you move, sell your car, or cancel insurance. New Jersey MVC mandates physical plate return by mail or drop-off. In contrast, California DMV allows standard plates to remain with the vehicle and does not require surrender unless they’re personalized. Texas DMV and Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles generally allow destruction and recycling, as long as registration has been properly canceled. Rules also vary by license plate types, such as temporary tags, dealer plates, or special programs.
Contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles or vehicle licensing office. Agency pages usually provide specific instructions. For example, verify the address for returning old license plates. If a formal return is required, you may need plates with certain colors or intact decals at hand. Many sites also explain the proper disposal of old license plates in plain steps.
Step-by-Step Methods to Destroy Old License Plates
The safest approach to disposing of license plates is to destroy the serial numbers so they can’t be read. Then, recycle or return the remains. This prevents identity theft, toll fraud, and unauthorized vehicle use. Take photos of the destroyed plate if your state requires proof of disposal or return.
Bend or Fold the Plate
If you want to handle the task at home, bending is a quick start. Deforming the plate makes automated reads unreliable. Always deface both sides so characters and barcodes can’t be reconstructed. If you plan to dispose of newer plates later by return, confirm the rules first. Whether your old tag must be returned is spelled out on agency sites.
- Score a fold line on the plate, then fold lengthwise twice.
- Hammer the crease so the plate stays collapsed and unreadable.
- Wear gloves and eye protection while you work.
- Put them in an aluminum recycling bin for scrap metal only after the numbers are destroyed.
Cut the Plate Into Pieces
Cutting the plate is more permanent. Use aviation snips to slice the plate into 8–12 pieces, separating every letter and number. Keep one tiny fragment that shows month and year decals for your records, and take a dated photo for your files.
Scratch or Etch Out the Characters
When you lack heavy tools, scratching works, crosshatch the serial and state name until no single character is legible. This method is acceptable in many states that don’t require a return. Focus on the full serial and barcodes. If you return later, avoid sharp edges that could injure staff handling the pieces.
- Etch across the serial block in multiple directions.
- Scrape reflective film, then mark through each character again.
- Remove all the month and year decals and any year tabs.
- Bag fragments so nothing snags or transfers to packaging.
Remove Stickers and Tags
Don’t skip the small details. Peel the decals and old registration tags from both sides. Solvent helps with the reflective adhesive. Place the removed stickers in a sealed envelope so they can’t be reused. If you’re keeping documentation, stick it to a note and date it for your records.
What to Do After You Destroy the Plate
After you destroy a plate, choose the next step: recycle, store proof, or return. If a return is required, ask whether you will receive a receipt showing the transaction or need to mail the fragments. Keep photos with your vehicle history report for clean records. If recycling, verify that local facilities accept license plates and follow packaging rules.
- Photograph the destroyed plate next to a handwritten date.
- Bag the fragments safely and label the bag “scrap metal.”
- Choose a local recycling center.
- Bring your vehicle registration if asked.
- File the documentation you get back for future reference.
How to Destroy or Return Digital or Vanity Plates
Digital, personalized, or vanity plates can follow different rules. States may need plates with certain colors or embedded hardware returned intact. Always check the web page for the address for returning the old license first. If an online account links to tolls or parking, close it before plate disposal so fees don’t continue.
- For digital models, power down, unlink accounts, then follow plate return steps.
- For personalized designs, some states ask you to return license plates to the DMV.
- If allowed to recycle, deface the serial and frame before you drop them off.
- Confirm whether you’ll receive a receipt and what packaging is acceptable.
Can You Recycle License Plates?
Yes. Most aluminum license plates are easy to recycle. Many centers will accept them once the numbers are destroyed. Some programs ask you to put them in an aluminum recycling bin after checking in. Ask first; the ways differ by city. VIN etching happens on glass, not metal plates, and many facilities recycle aluminum as part of routine processing.
Can You Reuse or Repurpose Old Plates?
Repurposing can be fine if the plate is unreadable and local rules allow it. While it’s possible to sell old tags to local artists and collectors, newer plates you may need to return instead. Many car enthusiasts make garage art, but characters must be ruined. If you’re handling a lost car title situation, don’t try to use a plate as proof of ownership, and request a new plate through proper channels if needed.
- Turn fully defaced pieces into shop labels or crafts.
- Donate unreadable scraps to makerspaces as a way to give back.
- If you sell old items online, blur or cover any remaining characters.
- Never mount a plate on any vehicle it wasn’t assigned to.
How to Dispose of Old License Plates Legally
Follow the agency’s page for the proper disposal of old license plates; most include links to the procedure so you can do it correctly without guesswork, then choose return or recycling rather than tossing them away.
How to Surrender Plates by Mail or In Person
Surrender is straightforward once you know the location. Check your state page for the address, hours, and any forms. Some offices require plates in person; others accept tracked mail. Call ahead so staff can provide specific instructions on acceptable packaging and what IDs to bring.
- Bring government ID, your car registration, and the plate pieces.
- If mailing, pad edges with cardboard and tape securely.
- If uncertain, contact your local agency for acceptable ways.
Summary
Treat a plate like sensitive data. Deface the identifying characters, then follow your state’s rules for return or recycling. By keeping documentation, routing metal responsibly, and following instructions, you prevent fraud and support the environment - simple steps with a big payoff.
FAQ
Should I Photograph the Plate Before Destroying It?
Yes. Photos are smart insurance. Include the destroyed plate, the date, and your driver details. Store them with your records and any confirmation from the agency.
Do I Need to Keep Old Plates for a Certain Waiting Period?
Some guidance suggests brief waiting periods for toll disputes or transfers. Check official instructions for different states and save a dated photo. If a return is required, mail or drop off promptly.
Are Damaged License Plates Still Considered Government Property?
Yes, even mangled pieces can be subject to return rules. If the state asks for a return, bring what you have. Staff will explain the packaging and whether you’ll get a confirmation.
What If My Plate Was Lost or Stolen Before I Destroyed It?
Report the loss to the police and your DMV.
- Request a new license plate and update your car registration.
- Ask the agency to flag the serial as stolen.
- Keep the case number and the confirmation in your files.
- If needed, request a new plate to replace it.
Does Surrendering Plates Cancel My Insurance Automatically?
No. Insurance is separate from registration status. Cancel or transfer your policy only after the vehicle is sold, registered elsewhere, or is nonoperational. Ask your insurer for the exact steps and timing.